Nokia Asha 503 vs Asha 502 Dual SIM: A Detailed Comparison

The Nokia Asha series offered affordable smartphones for emerging markets. The Asha 503 and 502 Dual SIM were popular choices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nokia Asha 503 edges out the 502 Dual SIM thanks to its superior display contrast and slightly improved performance. However, the 502's dual SIM capability remains a significant advantage for users needing multiple phone lines. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names	Nokia Asha 503	Nokia Asha 502 Dual SIM

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands	HSDPA 900 / 2100	-
EDGE	-	Up to 236.8 kbps
GPRS	-	Up to 85.6 kbps
Speed	HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps	-
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM

Launch
Announced	2013, October. Released 2013, November	2013, October. Released 2013, November
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	102.6 x 60.6 x 12.7 mm (4.04 x 2.39 x 0.5 in)	99.6 x 59.5 x 11.1 mm, 62.5 cc (3.92 x 2.34 x 0.44 in)
SIM	Micro-SIM	Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight	110.2 g (3.88 oz)	100 g (3.53 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass	-
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density)
Size	3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~44.8% screen-to-body ratio)	3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~47.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 256K colors	TFT, 256K colors

Platform
OS	Nokia Asha software platform 1.2	Nokia Asha software platform 1.1.1, upgradable to 1.4

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included	microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included
Internal	-	64MB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP	5 MP
Video	480p@19fps	320p@15fps

Selfie camera
	No	No

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	3.0, A2DP	3.0, A2DP
NFC	No	No
Positioning	No	No
Radio	Stereo FM radio	Stereo FM radio
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Accelerometer, proximity
	SNS apps MP4/H.263 player MP3/AAC player Photo editor Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input	SNS apps MP4/H.263 player MP3/WAV/AAC player Photo editor Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 34 h	Up to 42 h
Stand-by	Up to 840 h (2G) / Up to 840 h (3G)	Up to 576 h
Talk time	Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 13 h 42 min
Type	Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable (BL-4U)	Li-Ion 1010 mAh, removable (BL-5A)

Misc
Colors	Yellow, black, green, red, blue, white	Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black
Price	About 90 EUR	About 80 EUR
SAR EU	1.43 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body)	0.89 W/kg (head) 0.51 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -88.3dB / Crosstalk -82.1dB	-
Camera	Photo	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 635:1 (nominal), 1.281 (sunlight)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 75dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 75dB	-

Nokia Asha 503

Superior display contrast
Slightly better performance
Good battery life
Compact and lightweight

Basic camera
Limited app support
Outdated operating system

Nokia Asha 502 Dual SIM

Dual SIM functionality
Affordable price
Good battery life
Compact and lightweight

Inferior display contrast
Slightly slower performance
Basic camera
Limited app support

Display Comparison

The Asha 503 boasts a significantly better display, with a nominal contrast ratio of 635:1 and an impressive 1.281 contrast ratio in sunlight. This translates to more vibrant colors and better visibility outdoors. The Asha 502's display, while functional, lacks these improvements, appearing somewhat washed out in comparison. The resolution is likely similar on both, but the 503's contrast makes a noticeable difference.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature a basic camera for photo capture. Image quality is expected to be similar on both, adequate for casual snapshots but not high-resolution photography. Low-light performance will be poor on both.

Performance

Both phones run on the Nokia Series 30+ operating system, which is basic but efficient. The Asha 503 generally offers slightly snappier performance due to minor internal optimizations and potentially a slightly faster processor, though both are limited by their hardware. Expect basic app usage and web browsing without demanding multitasking.

Battery Life

Battery life is a strong point for both devices, typical of feature phones. Expect all-day usage with moderate use on either phone. Specific battery capacities are similar, around 1200mAh, so a draw is likely.

Buying Guide

The Nokia Asha 503 is ideal for users prioritizing a better viewing experience and slightly faster performance. The Nokia Asha 502 Dual SIM is perfect for those who need the convenience of dual SIM functionality for work or personal use, and value affordability above all else.